TUESDAY, JULY 14
Reminder - City of Chicago Anti-Retaliation Ordinance During COVID-19

The city of Chicago's Anti-Retaliation Ordinance prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for obeying certain COVID-19-related health orders. This means that employers cannot fire, demote or otherwise retaliate against an employee that is taking government-mandated steps to minimize the transmission of COVID-19, or if they are obeying an order from their healthcare provider. It also protects those that stay at home to take care of a family member who is ordered to quarantine, isolate or obey an order of a treating healthcare provider. 

Importantly, the Anti- Retaliation  Ordinance covers workers that stay home to adhere to the Emergency Travel Order that became effective Monday, July 6. Issued by the Chicago Department of Public Health, this order requires all travelers that enter Chicago from a state experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases to quarantine for a 14-day period. These travelers must stay at a single designated home or dwelling during this quarantine period before doing any activities outside of the home or dwelling. Employees that are able to telework under these guidelines may do so. For more information on the order, including a list of the states covered and an FAQ,  click here .

Under the Anti- Retaliation  Ordinance,  businesses cannot take adverse action  against an employee for staying home to self-quarantine in adherence with the Emergency Travel Order.

As an additional reminder, if the employer is covered under the  Families First Coronavirus Response Act  (FFCRA) and if the employee is unable to work or telework due to one of the specified COVID-related reasons in the FFCRA, the employee is likely eligible for up to two weeks of paid leave under the FFCRA.
Sam Toia Discusses Safety Regulations, State of the Industry on WGN Radio

IRA President & CEO Sam Toia recently joined Bob Sirott on WGN Radio to discuss safety regulations at restaurants, the current state of the hospitality industry, and the city of Chicago's midnight curfew for restaurants and bars that serve alcohol.

Click here  to listen to the segment.
Webinar - Protect Your Business From Pandemic-Related Employment Litigation
Join the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Law Center and Epstein Becker Green law firm on Thursday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m. (Central) for a webinar on properly handling various employment issues and protecting your business from pandemic-related litigation.

Other topics to be covered include discrimination and retaliation claims, exposure to COVID-19, and requests for leave and accommodation.

Click here to register.
Updated Guide - What to Do When a COVID-19 Positive Case Has Been Reported in Your Facility
 
The IRA has updated our  guide of protocols  to follow when a confirmed COVID-19 case has been in your facility.

The guide includes: general best practices, cleaning and disinfecting policies, employee leave requirements, notification templates, and more.

Click here  to review the updated guidelines.
Two Minute Survey - Tell Us Which Elected Officials You Know

As we continue to advocate on behalf of the industry during COVID-19, the IRA and National Restaurant Association are working to identify existing and new relationships our members have with local, state, and federal elected officials.

The results will allow us to get a comprehensive sense of which restaurant operators have relationships with lawmakers across the state.

Click here  to take the survey.
Please  visit our website  for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14.
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